Carrying the weight alone: First-year teachers, support gaps, and the burden of self-care

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 9:45 am - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: Of Care and Resistance: Teachers' Voices in Complex Times

Abstract

First-year teachers face a multitude of challenges as they adjust to the demands of classroom teaching. These challenges often negatively impact teacher well-being and contribute to early-career attrition, particularly when support during this transition is inadequate. This presentation draws on findings from my dissertation study examining the well-being and support structures experienced by first-year teachers. Using photovoice methodology, participants illustrated an unsupportive school culture and unrealistic expectations for student achievement. In response, they took deliberate action in both personal and professional contexts to preserve their well-being. The presentation concludes with implications for school and district practices aimed at fostering more supportive environments for early-career educators.

Author

• Allison Hitchens, University of South Florida - Tampa